Following news of a potential teacher strike over violent pupil behaviour at Northfield Academy, questions have arisen over what has caused the situation to deteriorate.
A local EIS representative said trouble has been brewing at Northfield for some time.
He cited complaints lodged back in November 2021 and another in June 2022.
He said that despite attempts from the council and school, teachers still aren’t getting what they need.
But he insisted that teachers at Northfield want support, not a strike.
Yet Aberdeen City Council is “disappointed” that staff are even willing to open that door.
A council spokesman said the school has held extra training and programmes to try to strengthen pupil-staff relationships, and has worked alongside parents, staff and pupils.
EIS member teachers at Northfield have until November 18 to respond to the industrial action ballot.
And while staff decide their next course of action, members of the public are asking what, if anything, has gone wrong at Northfield.
‘Significant time devoted to staff-student relationships’
The council spokesman described efforts to provide staff with more training and development, and give them a stronger voice at the school.
“Staff welcomed the chance to invest significant time on the development of a refreshed relationships policy last session, in collaboration with pupils and wider stakeholders, including the Parent Council.
“The school launched an innovative pilot to support pupils finding it hardest to engage with education, bringing considerable additional staffing resources and expertise to the school.
“Northfield Academy is a school where every staff member and pupil is valued – where inclusion and opportunity are at the heart of education – and we hope to work with trade union colleagues to resolve the issues raised, so we might continue to provide a positive place of learning for all.”
‘Nothing new’ about union’s concerns
But Aberdeen EIS local secretary Ron Constable said that the concerns of teachers at Northfield are nothing new.
There have been broader calls to address violence in Aberdeen City schools for years. Many teachers said this year that they’re reaching a breaking point.
Almost half of Aberdeen teachers on the brink of quitting after being targeted by pupils
After lodging complaints last autumn and this summer, Northfield EIS members said they still aren’t getting the support they need.
Mr Constable said that balloting teachers at an individual school is “highly unusual”. It’s the type of move that speaks to the degree of concern on campus. But striking is still the last thing teachers want, he said.
“Incidents of violence and verbal abuse from children are serious, but they do occur. But it’s about what is put in place to make it safe for our colleagues.
“Our colleagues at Northfield continue to see a lack of support.
“It’s clear that whatever action has been taken since November, and there has been work in place, it hasn’t been effective.
“What we would expect in a situation where a student is violent is that the pupil should be removed from the class. Then, mitigation should be put in place to make sure that that doesn’t happen again and support should be given to the teacher.”
The council spokesperson said that all physical or verbal aggression are reported to the school’s senior leadership team.
“All incidents are investigated and appropriate action taken” they added. “Schools and the Council also monitor reports to identify trends, and if necessary, make operational improvements to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring.”
Northfield community wonders what’s at the root of possible teacher strike
Yesterday’s breaking news story gathered more than 250 comments overnight on the Evening Express Facebook page.
Readers’ opinions varied widely. Some called to “bring back the belt”. Others were more measured, saying that would only exacerbate the problem.
Some said that home life and discipline shapes student behaviour more than school. They said parents need support to learn how to steer children away from violent behaviour.
Reader Anne Gordon called it “unbelievable” that Northfield teachers feel they need to consider a strike. She asked what role parents can play in stopping violence.
“I feel for the teachers at Northfield Academy. There are a lot of lovely kids and they are brought up with respect.”
Comments from readers who appear to be students suggested a tense relationship between students and staff.
One even suggested teachers wear body cameras so that employers and parents can understand what they’re seeing.
But bad behaviour can also be a sign that students need help.
Another reader asked whether enough attention is being paid to the support needs of students, wondering if any of the violence is coming from students with additional support needs.
Our recent investigation into autism in the north and north-east showed that parents and schools across the region are struggling to get the right support for autistic children.
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